In the book of Judges we learned how, “the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule you over us, both you, and your son, and your son's son also: for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you. And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-five of Judges, we learn how the people said, “we will willingly give them” where we read,
And they answered, We will willingly give them.
And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.
The verse reads, “And they answered, We will willingly give them.” The writer began with the words, “and they answered” which means “and they, the people of Israel, responded and gave the reply”, “we will willingly give them” or “we, the people of Israel, shall voluntarily and freely grant and bestow upon them, the three hundred men who accompanied Gideon to battle with the Midianites, the golden nose and earrings of the Ishmaelites”. The writer shared how the people of Israel said they would freely provide the golden nose and earrings of the “Ishmaelites” to the three hundred men who fought the Midianites alongside “Gideon”.
The verse goes on to say, “And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.” The writer continued with the words, “and they spread a garment” which means “and they, the people of Israel, stretched out and displayed a wrapper, mantle or covering clothes”, “and did cast therein” which means “and hurled, flung and threw inside the garment” “every man the earrings” or “each, the whole and everyone of the male human being the golden nose and ear ornaments” “of his prey” which means “belonging to his, the people of Israel who plundered the Midianites’ spoil, booty and gain”. The writer shared how the people of Israel stretched out clothes and threw the nose and ear ornaments made with gold that they collected as plunder from the Midianites within them.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the people of Israel were eagerly compliant with “Gideon’s” request for the golden nose and ear ornaments which were taken from the dead Midianites. This was a small price for their deliverance from their oppression. God desires to reward us in His Kingdom work when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us live in a manner of service to Him that will be rewarded when we go to be with Him some day. (See John 3:16; Revelation 22:12)
Next time we learn how, “the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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